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Needles

Welcome to the second post in the series Parables for 21st Century Job Seekers. Today’s parable is about the rich man. This is a lesson for the job seeker on how to behave now and when they are no longer a job seeker. However, this is mostly a lesson for the rest of us who are not job seekers. Disclaimer: I did not attend seminary and do not have a Master of Divinity degree.

I was a 21st Century job seeker, trying to rebuild a career that allows me to thrive financially and pay all the bills. Yesterday I started training for a work from home call center job.

Now on to today’s parable.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his kneesbefore him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[d]”

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[e] to enter the kingdom of God!25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

April? (left) & Oliver? (right)

This parable is one that got reinforced and the point driven home more and more since I started rebuilding my career.

Now Jesus does not indicate what amount of money makes a person rich. The Bible states “great wealth.”

While rebuilding my career, I have found rich people are too busy working at staying rich and/or powerful to reach out a hand to help someone up on their feet or even help them put one foot up on the next rung of a ladder. They are not even willing to listen to and/or stand in solidarity with those in career transition.

Not all rich people are like this, there are those who are willing to reach out their hand into another person’s darkness and turn on the light for them. But those rich people are rare. Yes, I know some and I thank God for them being involved in my life.

I am not the only one who has noticed rich people not being willing to help out even in the smallest way. There are lots of conversations about this a various networking events.

The tough part is to find ways you can help another one while you are poor yourself. Listening to someone about their problems and sending encouraging emails or cards are two ways to help.

If you find ways to help other poor people during your poor time, that makes you richer than a person with great wealth.

5 Ideas To Help A Job Seeker

Spend 5 minutes calling H.R. and let them know someone you casually has applied for a position at the company and would they please pull your acquaintances resume from the black hole, review it and at least call the applicant. It is up to the applicant to do well enough on the phone call to get an in person interview and do well enough in the interview to get the job.

When you know that your friend started a new job at a company and you have connections at that company. Offer to connect your friend to your connections. Your friend may not be aware that you have connections there. It helps to have an ally when starting at a new company.

Gift cards are a great way to help a struggling person. Whether gas, food or clothing they will be appreciated. My brother in law and his wife usually get me a calendar and attach one gift card for each month. Last year instead of a calendar, they gave me a new wallet with several gift cards in them. They are how I eat and get gas during financially troubled times.

When you have a barbecue, invite your friend going through a job searcht. The diversion will be treasured. Perhaps your friend will make a new friend at your barbecue. The principle also applies during holiday parties.

If you say you will keep a job seeker in your prayers – do it. I have heard that phrase numerous times but it is usually said in a way that makes me doubt whether the person is praying for me. Now there are a few close friends who I trust to pray for me and their prayers are much appreciated.

Then there is also the ever popular meeting for coffee. This way you can find out how the person is doing and it gives them someone to vent to if necessary. When you are in the midst of a job search, time to vent is important. A coffee meeting that lasts 30 minutes will be the bright spot in a job seekers day and let’s them know they are not alone.

One Second

If you are rich, remember it only takes a second for you to suddenly become the job seeker in need of help. So remember to stop using all your time to stay rich and powerful and spend some of your time humbling yourself in service to others.

If you are struggling now, do your best to give with a cheerful heart however you can and you will be richer than the richest man on earth. Remember, it only takes one second for you to be employed again. When you do, never forget your recent experience and help other job seekers.